Oregon State University is struggling this year. After the Washington Football team salvo’d them, their head coach Gary Andersen gave the team one final chance, against USC. Now, two Washington Football coaches top the short list of coaching replacements: Coach Smith and Coach Lake.
Ah, the price of success in the NCAA is a double edged sword. The Washington Football team may not be wowing folks at some nationally televised sports networks, but among the more knowledgeable, they are held in high regard. So it falls to no surprise that the latest head coach vacancy would be an automatic link to the Washington Football team coaching staff. Two make the list: Coach Smith, and Coach Lake.
The surprise? The buzz names two, not one, assistant coach of the Washington Huskies as the frontrunner for the opening.
Coaching carousel
Now, college football is not unique in the coaching carousel. As opportunities appear, the most likely fills come from smaller schools to take over a bigger football program. But there is the other avenue for assistant coaches of similarly sized programs who take over a new football team as a “promotion” of sorts.
Ultimately, all head coaches were once assistants. Ultimately, all great college football programs must eventually find ways to restock the coaching staff with excellent assistants. It’s the way it’s been for many years. Now that Washington if a very good team, their ranks will be looted for other programs hoping to replicate the Huskies success.
Mr. Smith might go to … Oregon State?
The first name to be mentioned is Washington offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith. He is a former Oregon State quarterback who holds records on the team. Since he has a strong past with the program, he is an obvious name to throw into the hat. Smith is still a young 38 years old, which is a perfect age to consider branching out to take over his own team.
He has been remarkably effective with the Washington offense so far. Smith managed an offense last year which led the Pac-12 and ranked eight in the nation in scoring. But above all else, he is truly appreciated by his players.
Focused on next game, but don’t rule this one out
In an interview by Seattle Times Adam Jude, Smith said the right things about focusing on the next opponent:
"“I’ve got a great job here, a great place, and I really don’t know what it’s like down there,” Smith said, adding: “It’s flattering. Obviously I’ve got great memories there and whatnot, but I’ve got an extreme focus on us and these next couple of practices. I thought we practiced really well today, and the Sun Devils present a challenge. And we’ve got a lot of things going, so it’s a huge game Saturday.”"
I can’t say that Smith would not take the job. I simply hope he does not.
Forecast for The Lake is cloudy…
The other name on the short list appears to be co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake. Coach Lake
We have praised the efforts of Coach Lake as he has filled the slots vacated by three now-NFL defensive backs almost seamlessly.
🔒
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 12, 2017
Same team, new player atop the list of lowest passer rating when targeted among Pac-12 corners. pic.twitter.com/WXzQhpnjnU
Miller takes over for Murphy
Keep in mind that the hero at the beginning of the season, Byron Murphy, fell to injury.
Lowest passer rating when targeted in the Pac-12 sees a familiar face in Byron Murphy for a 2nd week in a row. pic.twitter.com/5DOwbHbVSn
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 5, 2017
Murphy is anticipated out for six weeks. That brings him back in mid-November at the earliest.
Lake is great coach, but Oregon State doesn’t feel like right fit
While I do believe it’s only a matter of time before Coach Lake takes a head coaching position, this Oregon State University opportunity does not feel like a very good fit.
Lake is a blue chip assistant coach right now. As such, his next move must be the right choice. Since he has such a great defensive resume, his next position should have the offense in place. Oregon State is not such a team right now.
The other challenge is the proximity to Washington. While some recruits will follow Coach Lake to a new destination, others will not. Much like a divorce, the wealth of the aftermath is far less than hoped for. Lake needs to fit his current career path with a program which can be a solid turnaround role for him.
Next: DT recruit Tommy Togiai is perfect fit for Washington Football team
Oregon State University has a solid list of good candidates. As such, one or two who bow out will not cripple the program by forcing it back to square one. But from my perspective, I hope the Washington coaches stay a little bit longer.
At least until one National Championship Trophy is hoisted.